Three years of war in Sudan have inflicted deep physical and psychological wounds on survivors, leaving thousands dead and millions displaced. Associated Press journalists, accompanied by a military media member, documented the ongoing conflict and the personal stories of those affected in and around the capital, Khartoum.
Omer al-Toum, 33, who once aspired to play for Sudan's national soccer team, lost part of his right leg and left arm in an incident involving an unexploded weapon in October. His remaining leg was also severely injured. Despite his injuries, al-Toum remains outwardly calm and focuses on his 8-month-old daughter. He has found solace in coaching young soccer players, encouraging them to prioritize education as a backup to their dreams. "As long as you are still breathing, you are still capable of doing many things," he said.
Noon Madani, 16, suffered severe leg injuries when a missile struck near her home outside Khartoum nearly three years ago. The incident killed her 18-year-old sister, who had insisted they leave their home to pay an overdue bill. Madani spent six months in the hospital undergoing surgeries and battling infections. Her father described the trauma of being told his daughters were hit by artillery. Doctors believe Madani will be able to walk again, and her younger brothers assist her in attending school. She studies science with aspirations of becoming a doctor.
Fatma Ageb lost her husband and two older daughters, aged 10 and 12, when their house was struck in February 2025. She sustained shrapnel wounds, and her 8-year-old daughter lost an eye and suffered facial scarring in the attack. Ageb finds strength in caring for her surviving daughter, who still calls for her deceased sisters and father. The family requires further medical procedures for the child, but Ageb is uncertain how to fund them.
Tariq Abuzeid, a 52-year-old construction worker who had a history of community service, lost his right leg in December 2023 after being caught in shelling while distributing food. He expressed feelings of being a burden after years of helping others, now grappling with constant pain and the difficulty of finding prosthetics and a wheelchair in Khartoum. Despite his personal struggles, he continues his volunteer work, preparing meals for others.
One woman, who fled the besieged town of Dilling in South Kordofan with her two daughters in July due to hunger, reported being abducted by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). She recounted being taken to a desert base with over a dozen other women and alleged gang rape and regular beatings over several months. The woman stated that when her daughters, aged 20 and 25, were targeted, she offered herself in their place. The United Nations has identified sexual violence as a significant feature of the Sudan war. The woman and her daughters managed to escape into the desert and eventually found help in another town. She is currently in a center for women in Khartoum, where a doctor has informed her that the extent of her injuries may necessitate the removal of her uterus. The RSF did not respond to requests for comment.